Cubs, an all encompassing trip

8/10: Around the Cubs Minor League System

The AZL Cubs lost to the Rangers 7-3 on Friday. Duane Underwood got the start not allowing a run, but walking two in his one inning of work. Brian Smith then came in to pitch two scoreless innings. The next three innings decided the game as the Cubs defense let down Ethan Elias and Daniel Adrian who combined to give up all seven runs, but only two earned. Elias took the loss. Alvido Jimenez pitched the last three innings striking out three and not allowing a baserunner. Shawon Dunston had a nice night going 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs. Albert Almora had a hit and drove in one on the evening. Daniel Lockhart, Justin Marra, and David Bote all had a hit a piece, but it wasn’t enough for the Cubs tonight.

Boise scored a bunch early and held on to win 11-8. Daniel Vogelbach was once again the story in this one hitting two more home runs. He now has seven in the last five games and has hit at least one in those five games. He ended the night 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Jeimer Candelario also had a really nice night going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Stephen Bruno and Marco Hernandez each added two hits with Bruno knocking in one and Hernandez two. Ian Dickson started and gave up six runs in only three innings. He also walked four, but struck out five. Hunter Ackerman and Rafael Diplan combined to throw the next four innings allowing one run each. Nathan Dorris closed out the game recording his second save giving Diplan his second win of the season.

Peoria lost to Burlington in Jorge Soler’s first game with the Chiefs. The story that everyone wants to know is how did Soler do? He went 1-for-4 with two RBIs hitting in fifth spot in the order. Chad Krist had quite a night going 2-for-4, including two doubles and three RBIs. Yaniel Cabezas also had two hits to go along with a run scored. Dustin Geiger, Wes Darvill, and Pin-Chieh Chen each had a hit a piece with Chen scoring two runs. Michael Jensen who has been good most of the year struggled giving up six runs on eight hits in five innings pitched. Justin Berg struggled giving up four runs, one earned in two innings and Bryce Shafer pitched a scoreless ninth. This was not quite the way Peoria planned things to go with Soler in the lineup, but tomorrow is a new day.

Daytona took a 5-1 lead after three, but saw the lead slip away losing to Dunedin 8-5. Just like with Jensen, Matt Loosen had pitched well most of the season, but did not have his best stuff on Friday allowing five runs on seven hits in just 4.1 innings. Eduardo Figueroa pitched well in 2.2 relief innings, but Scott Weismann took the loss allowing the last three runs in his two innings of work. Micah Gibbs and Rafael Lopez each had two hits, with Gibbs driving in two and Lopez one. Elieser Bonne also drove in two runs for Daytona. John Andreoli had a hit and stole a base, bringing his total on the season to an impressive 50. Javier Baez continues to struggle going 0-for-5 and Christian Villanueva contributed with a hit and scored a run. Really looking to see Baez get going here, he is obviously going to have to adjust and I think he will sooner than later.

Tied at two going to the ninth Huntsville scored two off of Kevin Rhoderick and held on to beat the Smokies 4-3. Erick Jokisch got the start and pitched well pitching six strong innings allowing one run on five hits and striking out six. Trey McNutt gave up one unearned run in two innings of relief. Matt Szczur is starting to figure things out at the next level going 2-for-4 with a triple, a run scored, and an RBI. Logan Watkins and Nelson Perez each added two hits of their own with Watkins scoring and driving in a run. Jae-Hoon Ha and Justin Bour each contributed with a hit and Matt Cerda drove in a run.

Greg Rohan delivered a big two run single in the ninth to tie the game, but Jaye Chapman gave up a run in the bottom half as Iowa dropped a tough one to Las Vegas 4-3. Chris Rusin got the start pitching 5.2 innings allowing three runs on eight hits in a no decision. Michael Bowden pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and Chapman took the loss allowing the winning run. Blake Lalli drove in the other Cubs run ending the night 1-for-4 with a double. Tony Campana had two hits, including a double and Matt Tolbert had a hit of his own. Both Campana and Tolbert scored a run as did James Adduci. It was a nice comeback for Iowa, but still took the loss on Friday night in Vegas.

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